Magnesium biotinate compositions and methods of use

ABSTRACT

The present application relates to magnesium biotinate compositions and methods of use. The methods and compositions disclosed herein are particularly useful for providing bioavailable biotin to mammals and treating or preventing symptoms of biotin deficiency.

BACKGROUND Field

The present application relates to magnesium biotinate compositions and methods of use. The methods and compositions disclosed herein are particularly useful for providing bioavailable biotin to mammals and treating or preventing symptoms of biotin deficiency.

Description of the Related Art

Biotin is an essential water-soluble vitamin also known as Vitamin H, Coenzyme R, and Vitamin B7. It is an essential co-factor for five known carboxylases involved in fatty acid biosynthesis, gluconeogenesis, branched-chain amino acid metabolism, fatty acid metabolism, tricarboxylic acid cycle anaplerosis, and pleiotropic gene regulation, particularly for genes in carbohydrate metabolism. Biotin has Chemical Abstracts Service Registry No. 58-85-5 and the general formula:

Biotin plays key roles in a variety of metabolic reactions and is essential for normal mammalian growth, development, and health. For example, studies suggest a role for biotin in multiple cellular processes, including colonocyte nutrition, histone modification, cell proliferation, DNA repair, protein expression (including insulin receptor, glucokinase, certain oncogenes, holocarboxylase synthetase, and sodium-multivitamin transporter (hSMVT)), and immune functions, including production of antibodies, macrophage function, and differentiation of T and B lymphocytes. Biotin also plays a role in suppression of hepatic phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, a key enzyme in gluconeogenesis. Accordingly, serious clinical abnormalities occur in biotin-deficient individuals, including, among other effects, growth retardation, neurological disorders, and dermatological disorders.

Biotin is not synthesized by mammals but is supplied through dietary sources and from gut microflora, but natural mechanisms may be inadequate to supply sufficient quantities of biotin and synthetic supplementation may also be inadequate. Biotin is absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract by sodium-dependent vitamin transporters (SMVT) and non-specific monocarboxylate transporters.

Biotin deficiency frequently occurs during pregnancy, in subjects with abnormal metabolism, in subjects on long-term therapy with anticonvulsant agents, in subjects on long-term use of parenteral nutrition, in alcoholics, in subjects with inflammatory bowel disorders, and in subjects with seboric dermatitis and Lenier's disease. Genetic disorders such as biotinidase deficiency or holocarboxylase synthetase deficiency may result in biotin deficiency.

Such deficiencies are typically responsive to the administration of biotin. The recommended daily allowance for biotin has not been established but is estimated to be 35 micrograms (μg) and 150-300 μg for infants and adults, respectively. Pharmacological doses of 5-10 milligrams (mg)/kg body weight/day are well tolerated and generally relieve severe and/or genetically related biotin deficiencies. In recent clinical studies, daily doses as high as 300 mg biotin have been evaluated for treatment of disabling neurological conditions such as progressive multiple sclerosis.

However, the ability to reliably and consistently provide exogenous biotin to subjects is severely restricted by its low solubility in water (about 22 mg biotin/100 mL) and other pharmaceutically acceptable solvents. This low solubility corresponds to low, and unpredictable, bioavailability, making consistent and reliable biotin delivery challenging, and at times impossible, through the natural diet and existing supplementation regimens. For example, biotin may be administered with a cyclodextrin, and dissolved in a small amount of aqueous ammonia (EP 056902 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,840,881). Biotin may also be provided in a composition with lactose or an amino acid, or as an alkalolamine salt (U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,277,488; 4,725,427; and 5,550,249), or as an ester or amide biotin prodrug (U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0011255).

Thus, there is a long-standing and unmet need for biotin compositions to provide enhanced solubility and bioavailability, to facilitate consistent reliable delivery of therapeutic quantities of biotin.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Some embodiments relate to nutritional and therapeutic compositions that are useful for enhancing the solubility of D-biotin in water and other aqueous solutions. Such nutritional and therapeutic compositions do not occur naturally and are markedly different than naturally occurring compositions of biotin. Methods disclosed herein include enhancing the water-solubility of D-biotin by providing D-biotin as magnesium D-biotinate compositions. Methods for enhancing the bioavailability of D-biotin are also disclosed and may comprise administering to a subject a safe and effective amount of a magnesium D-biotinate composition. Further, a method of enhancing the bioavailability of D-biotin in warm-blooded animals is disclosed. Such a method may comprise administering a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising a magnesium D-biotinate composition. Method can comprise providing a nutritional and/or therapeutic, water-soluble magnesium D-biotinate composition for enhancing the bioavailability of D-biotin. The composition is useful, for example, in mammals. Some embodiments comprise a composition comprising magnesium biotinate wherein the composition comprises less than or equal to about 0.8% sodium by weight compared to the weight of the total composition. Some embodiments comprise a composition comprising magnesium biotinate wherein the composition comprises less than or equal to about 0.8% sodium by weight compared to the weight of the magnesium biotinate. Some embodiments provide for a composition comprising magnesium biotinate wherein the magnesium biotinate has a solubility of at least about 10 g per liter of water. In some embodiments, the solubility of a magnesium biotinate composition may be between about 22 mg per 100 mL of water and about 1,000 mg per 100 mL of water. In some embodiments, the solubility of a magnesium biotinate composition may be between about 50 mg per 100 mL of water and about 1,000 mg per 100 mL of water. In some embodiments, the solubility of a magnesium biotinate composition may be between about 75 mg per 100 mL of water and about 1,000 mg per 100 mL of water. Compositions as described herein may have improved absorption compared to D-biotin. Some embodiments of compositions described herein may not contain any magnesium in the composition. Some embodiments of compositions described herein may not contain any biotin, and more particularly, any D-biotin.

In some aspects, the compositions disclosed herein may be used to treat or prevent biotin deficiencies. For example, the compositions may be administered to restore depleted biotin levels caused by the administration of one or more other drugs. The compositions may also be used to use treat or prevent, diseases such as multiple sclerosis and other diseases associated with defects in myelin sheaths and/or associated with nerve damage associated with demyelination. Other features, advantages, and embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from the following description, examples, and appended claims.

Some embodiments provide a composition comprising an effective amount of magnesium biotinate and a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle, carrier, or diluent. In some embodiments, the composition is a solid composition. In some embodiments, the composition comprises a sustained-release matrix. In some embodiments, the composition is enteric coated. In some embodiments, the composition comprises between about 10 μg to about 1,000 μg of magnesium biotinate. For example, some embodiments include about 50 μg or about 100 μg of magnesium biotinate. Some embodiments comprise about 300 μg of magnesium biotinate. Some embodiments comprise about 200 μg to about 400 μg of magnesium biotinate. Some embodiments include about 500 μg or about 750 μg of magnesium biotinate. Some embodiments may comprise between about 250 μg and about 350 μg, between about 275 μg and about 325 μg, between about 300 μg and about 400 μg, between about 400 μg and 500 μg, between about 450 μg and about 550 μg, between about 400 μg and 600 μg, between about 600 μg and about 800 μg, between about 650 μg and about 850 μg, between about 700 μg and about 1,000 μg, between about 250 μg and about 1,000 μg, between about 800 μg and about 1,100 μg, between about 900 μg and about 1,000 μg, between about 950 μg and about 1,050 μg, and ranges therebetween of magnesium biotinate. Some embodiments may comprise between about 250 mg and about 350 mg, between about 275 mg and about 325 mg, between about 300 mg and about 400 mg, between about 400 mg and 500 mg, between about 450 mg and about 550 mg, between about 400 mg and 600 mg, between about 600 mg and about 800 mg, between about 650 mg and about 850 mg, between about 700 mg and about 1,000 mg, between about 250 mg and about 1,000 mg, between about 800 mg and about 1,100 mg, between about 900 mg and about 1,000 mg, between about 950 mg and about 1,050 mg, between about 0.5 mg and 10,000 mg, between about 200 and about 10,000 mg, between about 300 mg and about 5,000 mg, between about 300 and about 10,000 mg, between about 1,000 mg and about 10,000 mg, between about 5,000 and about 10,000 mg, between about 1,000 mg and about 5,000 mg, between about 250 mg and about 3,000 mg, between about 500 mg and about 2,500 mg, between about 7,000 and about 10,000 mg and ranges therebetween and magnesium biotinate. In some embodiments, the composition may comprise at least about 200 μg, 300 μg, 400 μg, 500 μg, 1,000 μg, 10 mg, 100 mg, 300 mg, 500 mg, 700 mg, 1,000 mg, 3,000 mg, 5,000 mg, 7,000 mg, or 10,000 mg of magnesium biotinate, and ranges and limits therebetween.

Some embodiments provide a method of treating or preventing a disease, disorder, or condition associated with biotin deficiency in a mammal. Such mammals may be known to have or be at risk for developing biotin deficiency. Embodiments of methods of treating or preventing a disease, disorder, or condition can comprise administering an amount of magnesium biotinate effective to treat or prevent a disease, disorder, or condition associated with biotin deficiency in the mammal. In some embodiments, the disease, disorder, or condition, is selected from the group consisting of biotinidase deficiency, multiple carboxylase deficiency, and holocarboxylase synthetase deficiency, brittle hair, excessive hair loss, alopecia, anemia, one or more topical fungal infections, seborrheic dermatitis, hallucinations, lethargy, anorexia, depression, myalgia, paresthesia, excessive fatigue, somnolence, prolonged anticonvulsant therapy, prolong used of total parenteral nutrition, malnutrition, prolonged antibiotic therapy, hypotonia, pregnancy, short bowel syndrome, ketogenic dieting, excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, cystic fibrosis, or combinations of the foregoing. In some embodiments, the amount of magnesium biotinate administered is between about 10 μg to about 1,000 μg per day. In some embodiments, the magnesium biotinate is administered orally.

Some embodiments provide a method of improving skin texture comprising: identifying abnormal skin texture in a mammal; and administering a therapeutically effective amount of magnesium biotinate to the mammal. Some embodiments provide a method of improving skin texture comprising: administering a therapeutically effective amount of magnesium biotinate to the mammal to improve skin texture. In some embodiments, identifying can include administering a test that is sensitive to detecting one of the following: allergic reactions, stress-induced rash, eczema, acne vulgaris, acne rosacea, hives, seborrheic dermatitis, and psoriasis. In some embodiments, the testing includes a diagnosis of one or more of allergic reactions, stress-induced rash, eczema, acne vulgaris, acne rosacea, hives, seborrheic dermatitis, and psoriasis.

In some embodiments, the amount of magnesium biotinate administered is between about 10 μg to about 1,000 μg per day. In some embodiments, the magnesium biotinate is administered orally.

Some embodiments provide a method of treating or preventing a disease, disorder, or condition associated with nerve demyelination in a mammal. Such mammals may be known to have or be at risk for developing nerve demyelination. Methods of treating or preventing a disease, disorder, or condition associated with nerve demyelination in a mammal can comprise administering an amount of magnesium biotinate effective to treat or prevent a disease, disorder, or condition associated with nerve demyelination in the mammal. Some embodiments provide a method of maintaining healthy levels of biotin in a mammal comprising administering an effective amount of magnesium biotinate to the mammal. Some embodiments provide a method of maintaining optimum levels of biotin in a mammal comprising administering an effective amount of magnesium biotinate to the mammal. Some embodiments provide a method of promoting optimum levels of biotin in a mammal comprising administering an effective amount of magnesium biotinate to the mammal. Some embodiments provide a method of promoting healthy levels of biotin in a mammal comprising administering an effective amount of magnesium biotinate. Some embodiments provide methods of increasing bioavailability of biotin in a mammal comprising administering an effective amount of magnesium biotinate.

In some embodiments, the disease, disorder, or condition is selected from a demyelinating myelinoclastic disease, a demyelinating leukodystrophic disease, multiple scleroris, nerve damage, Devic's disease, Tabes dorsalis, central pontine myelinolysis, progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, Guillain-Barré syndrome, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, copper deficiency, and progressive inflammatory neuropathy, or combinations of the foregoing.

In some embodiments, the amount of magnesium biotinate administered is between about 10 μg to about 1,000 μg per day. In some embodiments, the magnesium biotinate is administered orally.

Some embodiments provide a method of decreasing hair loss comprising: administering a therapeutically effective amount of magnesium biotinate to the mammal. Some embodiments of decreasing hair loss may comprise identifying hair loss in a mammal. In some embodiments, the identifying includes administering a test that is sensitive to detecting alopecia or stress-induced hair loss. In some embodiments, the testing includes a diagnosis of stress-induced hair loss.

In some embodiments, the amount of magnesium biotinate administered is between about 10 μg to about 1,000 μg per day. In some embodiments, the magnesium biotinate is administered orally.

Some embodiments provide a method of improving hair strength and texture comprising: administering a therapeutically effective amount of magnesium biotinate to the mammal. In some embodiments, a method of improving hair strength and/or texture can comprise identifying a mammal with abnormal hair strength and/or texture. Abnormal hair strength and texture may be indicated by, but not limited to, thin hair, brittle hair, rough hair, weak hair, and the like and such features of hair with abnormal hair strength would be readily envisaged and ascertainable by the skilled artisan in consideration of the present disclosure.

In some embodiments, identifying hair loss and/or identifying a mammal with abnormal hair strength and/or texture can comprise administering a scalp biopsy. In some embodiments, identifying can comprise a diagnosis of biotin deficiency. In some embodiments, the amount of magnesium biotinate administered can be between about 10 μg to about 1,000 μg per day. In some embodiments, the magnesium biotinate is administered orally.

Some embodiments provide a method of improving nail strength and texture comprising: administering a therapeutically effective amount of magnesium biotinate to the mammal. Some embodiments providing a method of improving nail strength can comprise identifying a mammal with abnormal nail strength and/or texture. In some embodiments, identifying a mammal with abnormal nail strength and/or texture can comprise administering a test that is sensitive to detecting biotin deficiency. In some embodiments, the testing includes a diagnosis of biotin deficiency. In some embodiments, the amount of magnesium biotinate administered is between about 10 μg to about 1,000 μg per day. In some embodiments, the magnesium biotinate is administered orally. Examples of indications of abnormal nail strength and/or texture may include, but are not limited to, reduced ability to grow nails, slow nail growth, yellow-appearing nails, weak nails, nails that crack and/or break easily, and the like and such indications of abnormal nail strength and/or texture would be readily ascertainable and envisaged by the skilled artisan in consideration of the present disclosure. Certain embodiments provide a method of improving horse hoof strength and/or durability and some embodiments may provide a method for treating horse hoof injuries.

Some embodiments comprise methods of making magnesium D-Biotinate. The method may include adding D-biotin to a basic solution. The basic solution may be 1 N NaOH. The method may also include dissolving a magnesium salt into the sodium biotinate solution. The magnesium salt may be MgCl₂. The magnesium D-biotinate may be precipitated. In some aspects, acetone is added to cause precipitation. The precipitate may be washed with a solvent, dry filtered, and isolated. Some embodiments provide a method of making magnesium biotinate comprising the steps of: adding D-biotin to a basic solution to produce a sodium biotinate solution; dissolving a magnesium salt into the sodium biotinate solution; precipitating the magnesium D-biotinate; washing the precipitated magnesium D-biotinate with a solvent; and dry filtering the washed magnesium D-biotinate.

Some embodiments provide methods of increasing absorption of biotin and such a method may comprise administering an effective amount of magnesium biotinate to a mammal to increase the mammal's absorption of biotin. Some embodiments provide methods of increasing carboxylase activity and such a method may comprise administering an effective amount of magnesium biotinate to a mammal to increase carboxylase activity. For example, and without limitation, a method of increasing carboxylase activity may comprise increasing carboxylase activity wherein the carboxylase activity is selected from the activity of acetyl-CoA carboxylase ACC-1 and/or ACC-2, pyruvate carboxylase (PC), propionyl-CoA carboxylase (PCC), or methylcrotonyl-CoA carboxylase (MCC), and combinations thereof. Certain embodiments comprise methods of increasing cellular energy production comprising the steps of administering an effective amount of magnesium biotinate to a mammal to increase cellular energy production. Embodiments of the compositions as described herein may be used to increase a mammal's absorption of biotin, increase carboxylase activity, or increase cellular energy production, and combinations thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a ¹H-NMR spectrum of D-biotin.

FIG. 2 depicts a ¹H-NMR spectrum of a magnesium D-biotinate which was prepared as described in Example 9.

FIG. 3 depicts a ¹H-NMR spectrum of a magnesium D-biotinate which was prepared as described in Example 8.

FIG. 4 shows the results of administration of biotin versus magnesium D-biotinate as disclosed herein. FIGS. 4A and 4B show unexpectedly improved acetyl-CoA carboxylase ACC-1 and ACC-2 activity, respectively. FIG. 4C shows unexpectedly improved pyruvate carboxylase (PC) activity. FIG. 4D shows the unexpectedly improved propionyl-CoA carboxylase (PCC) activity. FIG. 4E shows the unexpectedly improved methylcrotonyl-CoA carboxylase (MCC) activity.

FIG. 5 shows the results of administering D-biotin compared to administering magnesium biotinate in biotin-starved cell cultures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The terminology used in the description presented herein is not intended to be interpreted in any limited or restrictive manner, simply because it is being utilized in conjunction with a detailed description of certain specific embodiments described herein. Furthermore, embodiments described herein can include several novel features, no single one of which is solely responsible for its desirable attributes or which is essential to practicing the embodiments described herein.

As used herein, “identifying,” refers to detecting or selecting a subject from a population of potential subjects, for example, to establish that a particular subject possesses certain properties or characteristics. “Identifying” may include, for example, self-identification, self-diagnosis, and diagnosis by a medical professional.

As used herein, “treat,” “treatment,” or “treating,” refers to administering or providing a composition for prophylactic and/or therapeutic purposes.

As used herein, the terms “prophylactic treatment,” “prevent,” or “preventing,” can refer to treating a subject who does not yet exhibit symptoms of a disease or condition, but who is susceptible to, or otherwise at risk of, a particular disease or condition, whereby the treatment reduces the likelihood that the patient will develop the disease or condition. A “disorder” is any condition that would benefit from treatment with the compositions described herein.

As used in the claims below and throughout this disclosure, the phrase “consisting essentially of” is meant including any elements listed after the phrase, and limited to other elements that do not interfere with or contribute to the activity or action specified in the disclosure for the listed elements. Thus, the phrase “consisting essentially of” indicates that the listed elements are required or mandatory, but that other elements are optional and can or cannot be present depending upon whether or not they affect the activity or action of the listed elements. For example, the use of a composition “consisting essentially of magnesium biotinate” for the treatment of a particular disease or disorder would exclude other ingredients that were known to be active in combating the particular disease or disorder.

As used herein, a composition that “substantially” comprises a compound means that the composition contains more than about 80% by weight, more preferably more than about 90% by weight, even more preferably more than about 95% by weight, and most preferably more than about 98% by weight of the compound.

The term “pharmaceutical formulation”, “formulation”, “composition” and the like can refer to preparations which are in such a form as to permit the biological activity of the active ingredients to be effective, and, therefore may be administered to a subject for therapeutic use along with dietary and/or nutritional supplement use. The meaning of these terms will be clear to the skilled artisan based upon the context in which they are used.

A “therapeutically effective amount” as used herein includes within its meaning a non-toxic but sufficient amount of a compound active ingredient or composition comprising the same for use in the embodiments disclosed herein to provide the desired therapeutic effect. Similarly “an amount effective to” or “an effective amount” as used herein includes within its meaning a non-toxic but sufficient amount of a compound active ingredient or composition comprising the same to provide the desired effect. The exact amount of the active ingredient disclosed herein required will vary from subject to subject depending on factors such as the species being treated, the age and general condition of the subject, the severity of the condition being treated, the particular agent being administered, the weight of the subject, and the mode of administration and so forth. Thus, it may not always be possible to specify an exact “effective amount.” However, for any given case, an appropriate “effective amount” may be determined by one of ordinary skill in the art using only routine methods. In some aspects, a therapeutically effective amount may include a dosing regimen. For example, a therapeutically effective amount may include about 1 mg of magnesium biotinate orally consumed each day for fourteen consecutive days. In some aspects, a therapeutically effective amount may include about 1 mg of magnesium biotinate orally consumed each day for thirty consecutive days. Compositions including magnesium biotinate may include, for example, between 0.1-10 grams of magnesium biotinate.

In addition, the appropriate dosage of the compositions can depend, for example, on the condition to be treated, the severity and course of the condition, whether the composition is administered for preventive or therapeutic purposes, previous therapy, the patient's clinical history and response to the composition, the type of composition used, and the discretion of the attending physician. The composition can be suitably administered to the patient at one time or over a series of treatments and may be administered to the patient at any time from diagnosis onwards. The composition may be administered as the sole treatment or in conjunction with other drugs or therapies useful in treating the condition in question.

By way of example, a “therapeutically effective amount” and/or an “effective amount” of the compound disclosed herein can be, for example, 0.1 μg/kg, 0.5 μg/kg, 1 μg/kg, 1.5 μg/kg, 2.0 μg/kg, 2.5 μg/kg, 3.0 μg/kg, 3.5 μg/kg, 4.0 μg/kg, 4.5 μg/kg, 5.0 μg/kg, 10 μg/kg, 15 μg/kg, 20 μg/kg, 25 μg/kg, 30 μg/kg, 35 μg/kg, 40 μg/kg, 45 μg/kg, 50 μg/kg, 55 μg/kg, 60 μg/kg, 65 μg/kg, 70 μg/kg, 75 μg/kg, 80 μg/kg, 85 μg/kg, 90 μg/kg, 95 μg/kg, 100 μg/kg, 150 μg/kg, 200 μg/kg, 250 μg/kg, 300 μg/kg, 350 μg/kg, 400 μg/kg, 450 μg/kg, 500 μg/kg, 550 μg/kg, 600 μg/kg, 650 μg/kg, 700 μg/kg, 750 μg/kg, 80 μg/kg 0, 850 μg/kg, 900 μg/kg, 1 mg/kg, 1.5 mg·kg, 2.0 mg/kg, 2.5 mg/kg, 3 mg/kg, 3.5 mg/kg, 4.0 mg/kg, 4.5 mg/kg, 5 mg/kg, 5.5 mg/kg, 6 mg/kg, 6.5 mg/kg, 7 mg/kg, 7.5 mg/kg, 8 mg/kg, 8.5 mg/kg, 9 mg/kg, 9.5 mg/kg, 10 mg/kg 10.5 mg/kg, 11 mg/kg, 11.5 mg/kg, 12 mg/kg, 12.5 mg/kg, 13 mg/kg, 13.5 mg/kg, 14 mg/kg, 14.5 mg/kg, 15 mg/kg, 16 mg/kg, 17 mg/kg, 18 mg/kg, 19 mg/kg, 20 mg/kg, 21 mg/kg, 22 mg/kg, 23 mg/kg, 24 mg/kg, 25 mg/kg, 30 mg/kg, 35 mg/kg, 40 mg/kg, 45 mg/kg, 50 mg/kg, 55 mg/kg, 60 mg/kg, 65 mg/kg, 70 mg/kg, or more, or any fraction or integer in between any two of the preceding amounts of the compound. An effective amount may include any of the ranges and amounts discussed herein.

Accordingly, in some embodiments, the dose of the compound in compositions disclosed herein can be about 10 μg to about 10 g, preferably per day. For example, the amount of the complex can be 10 μg, 15 μg, 20 μg, 25 μg, 30 μg, 35 μg, 40 μg, 45 μg, 50 μg, 55 μg, 60 μg, 65 μg, 70 μg, 75 μg, 80 μg, 85 μg, 90 μg, 95 μg, 100 μg, 125 μg, 150 μg, 175 μg, 200 μg, 225 μg, 250 μg, 275 μg, 300 μg, 325 μg, 350 μg, 375 μg, 400 μg, 425 μg, 450 μg, 475 μg, 500 μg, 525 μg, 575 μg, 600 μg, 625 μg, 650 μg, 675 μg, 700 μg, 725 μg, 750 μg, 775 μg, 800 μg, 825 μg, 850 μg, 875 μg, 900 μg, 925 μg, 950 μg, 975 μg, 1000 μg, 1.25 g, 1.5 g, 1.75 g, 2.0 g, 2.25 g, 2.5 g, 2.75 g, 3.0 g, 3.25 g, 3.5 g, 3.5 g, 3.75 g, 4.0 g, 4.25 g, 4.5 g, 4.75 g, 5.0 g, 5.25 g, 5.5 g, 5.75 g, 6.0 g, 6.25 g, 6.5 g, 6.75 g, 7.0 g, 7.25 g, 7.5 g, 7.75 g, 8.0 g, 8.25 g, 8.5 g, 8.75 g, 9.0 g, 8.25 g, 9.5 g, 9.75 g, 10 g, or more, or any range or amount in between any two of the preceding values and any other ranges or amounts disclosed herein. The exemplary therapeutically effective amounts listed above, can, in some embodiments be administered in the methods described elsewhere herein on an hourly basis, e.g., every one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, eighteen, nineteen, twenty, twenty-one, twenty-two, twenty-three hours, or any interval in between, or on a daily basis, every two days, every three days, every four days, every five days, every six days, every week, every eight days, every nine days, every ten days, every two weeks, every month, or more or less frequently, as needed to achieve the desired therapeutic effect.

Some embodiments as described herein refer to “healthy levels” and/or “optimum levels” of biotin. In some embodiments, this specifically refers to the administration of D-biotinate as a nutritional or dietary supplement (which can be used interchangeably) and this administration achieves biotin increases in a mammal that cannot be achieved through a natural diet or natural food. For example and without limitation, administration of D-biotinate as described herein may allow a mammal with reduced levels of biotin to return to optimum or healthy levels, which is not achievable through a natural diet or through ingestion of natural food. In some embodiments, administration of D-biotinate as described herein can restore a mammal's biotin levels to healthy or optimum levels when the subject has depleted biotin levels resulting from conditions such as pregnancy. As described herein, the embodiments provide for unnatural supplementation that can overcome biotin deficiencies in mammals. In some embodiments, administration of D-biotinate as described herein can increase the bioavailability of biotin in a mammal, compared to the bioavailability of biotin from natural sources.

The present disclosure comprises nutritional and therapeutic compositions useful for enhancing the water solubility of biotin, and methods of using same. Some embodiments provide solid dosage forms of biotin. Some embodiments provide aqueous solutions of biotin. Some embodiments provide methods for increasing the water solubility of biotin comprising converting biotin to magnesium biotinate. Embodiments described herein comprising biotinate as a nutritional supplement can mean that the biotinate is present in an unnatural form, i.e., is presented in a supplement (e.g., in a pill or powder) that is different from that which occurs naturally, or the nutritional supplement results in unnatural supplementation that is unachievable through a non-supplemented diet.

The term “biotin” means D-biotin, an essential water-soluble vitamin also known as Vitamin H, Coenzyme R, or vitamin B7. D-Biotin has Chemical Abstracts Service Registry No. 58-85-5 and the general formula:

As used herein, the term “magnesium biotinate” refers to the magnesium salt of D-biotin, including magnesium hemi-biotinate. Magnesium D-biotinate is the magnesium salt of the carboxylic acid D-biotin, and does not occur naturally. In some embodiments, magnesium D-biotinate is a stable, non-hygroscopic, off-white powder having a defined composition, a molecular formula of Mg(C₁₀H₁₅N₂O₃S)₂ and a general formula of

Some embodiments provide physiologically compatible magnesium biotinate hydrates, crystalline forms, polymorphic forms, solid forms having specific bulk densities or tap densities, and solid forms having specific particle sizes. Some embodiments provide compositions coated with pharmaceutically acceptable materials intended to modify its release and/or bioavailability, including, but not limited to Eudragit, microcrystalline cellulose, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose phthalate, and the like.

As used herein, the term “magnesium” refers to the magnesium ion, Mg²⁺.

As used herein, the term “pharmaceutically acceptable solvent” can refer to water, water for injection, aqueous buffer solutions that are physiologically compatible, or aqueous solutions containing organic solvents that are physiologically compatible. A non-comprehensive list of pharmaceutically acceptable solvents is provided in U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Food & Drug Administration, “Guidance for Industry: Q3C Impurities: Residual Solvents,” December 1997 or its current issue.

As used herein, the term “bioavailability” refers to the amount of a substance that is absorbed in the intestines and ultimately available for biological activity in a subject's tissue and cells.

As used herein, the term “enhancing the bioavailability” and the like are used herein to refer to obtaining a desired pharmacological and/or physiological effect of increasing the amount of D-biotin that is absorbed from the intestine or is taken up by tissues and cells after administration of a composition to a mammal, which does not occur naturally. The effect may be prophylactic in terms of preventing or partially preventing the incidence, risk, or severity of an adverse symptom or condition caused by or related to the deficiency of a therapeutic agent.

As used herein, the terms “preventing”, “treating”, “treatment” and the like are used herein to generally refer to obtaining a desired pharmacological and physiological effect, and can also refer to a nutritional or nutraceutical effect, the scopes and meanings of which will be clear to the skilled artisan based upon the context in which these terms are used. The effect may be prophylactic in terms of preventing or partially preventing a disease, symptom or condition thereof and/or may be therapeutic in terms of a partial or complete cure of a disease, condition, symptom or adverse effect attributed to the disease. The term “treatment” as used herein encompasses any treatment of a disease in a mammal, particularly a human and includes: (a) preventing the disease from occurring in a subject which may be predisposed to the disease but has not yet been diagnosed as having it; (b) inhibiting the disease or arresting its development; or (c) relieving the disease, causing regression of the disease and/or its symptoms, conditions, and co-morbidities. The terms “optimum” or “healthy” and the like may be used to refer to the physiological amounts of biotin in a mammal, wherein administration of compositions as described herein may be administered to a mammal that may not have a disease or symptoms of a disease associated with reduced D-biotin levels, but may be administered to maintain healthy or optimum amounts of D-biotin along with the other physiological results described herein.

As used herein, the term “therapeutically effective” or “effective” is intended to qualify the amounts of a magnesium D-biotinate composition which will achieve the goal of providing the quantity of D-biotin needed to prevent and treat adverse effects associated with biotin deficiency. In some aspects, an “effective” amount may be the amount that is effective to maintain a healthy amount of D-biotin or maintain optimum amounts of D-biotin. In some embodiments, an “effective” amount may be administered to a mammal that is not experiencing the effects of a disease or other malady affecting D-biotin levels or other biologic aspects as described herein, but an “effective” amount may be that amount that achieves an increase in carboxylase activity and/or increases in cellular energy production (e.g., enhanced cellular mitochondrial activity) in a way that is not achieved through the natural diet or through other supplement regimes. The amounts of a magnesium D-biotinate composition may be administered orally to a subject as part of the same unit dose or as different unit doses administered in a coordinated manner. Further, the amounts of a magnesium D-biotinate composition may be administered in a coordinated manner by different routes of administration, if required to ensure bioavailability in a subject requiring this treatment. By way of example, administration in a coordinated manner may comprise oral administration of an effective amount of a magnesium D-biotinate composition at a time point and administration of an effective amount of a magnesium D-biotinate by oral, transdermal, or intravenous administration at a separate time point within 72 hours of administration of the first effective amount of said composition.

As used herein, the term “excipient material” refers to any compound that is part of a formulation that is not an active ingredient, i.e., one that has no relevant biological activity, and which is added to the formulation to provide specific characteristics to the dosage form, including by way of example, providing protection to the active ingredient from chemical degradation, facilitating release of a tablet or caplet from equipment in which it is formed, and so forth.

For the purpose of this disclosure, a warm-blooded animal is a member of the animal kingdom which includes but is not limited to mammals and birds. In certain embodiments described herein, a mammal may be a horse. The most preferred mammal of this application is human.

To provide a more concise description, some of the quantitative expressions given herein are not qualified with the term “about.” It is understood that whether the term “about” is used explicitly or not, every quantity given herein is meant to refer to the actual given value, and it is also meant to refer to the approximation to such given value that would reasonably be inferred based on the ordinary skill in the art, including approximations due to the experimental and/or measurement conditions for such given value.

In order to enable preparative process monitoring, as well as to meet quality and purity requirements for the final product, an example of a process for the preparation of magnesium biotinate involves reaction of a solution of biotin with a solution of a magnesium compound. As shown in Table 1, none of the common solvents were useful for preparation of a solution of biotin, since the solubility of biotin in each solvent is so limited that unwieldy volumes of solvent would be required. See Su et al., J. Chem. Eng. Data, 59:3894-3899 (2014).

TABLE 1 Solubility of D-Biotin & Magnesium Compounds in Common Solvents Solvent Biotin Magnesium Compound Water 22 mg/100 mL MgO insoluble; Mg salts soluble Ethanol 80 mg/100 mL MgO insoluble; Mg salts slightly sol. Methanol 80 mg/100 mL MgO insoluble; Mg salts slightly sol. N,N-Dimethyl- 170 mg/100 mL  MgO insoluble; Mg salts slightly sol. formamide (DMF) Dimethyl  4.9 g/100 mL MgO insoluble; Mg salts slightly sol. sulfoxide (DMSO) Benzene Soluble MgO and Mg salts insoluble

A synthetic approach was developed in an attempt to minimize the volume of a pharmaceutically acceptable solvent that was required to solubilize biotin, thus producing the unnaturally occurring products described herein. Such a pharmaceutically acceptable solvent for biotin would preferably be compatible with solutions of magnesium salts to enable use of pharmaceutically acceptable solvents throughout the preparation. It was thus discovered that biotin could readily and completely be dissolved in a minimum volume of water by adding a water-soluble base, such as ammonium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, lithium hydroxide, cesium hydroxide, or amines. A clear solution of D-biotinate in a minimum volume of water was thus obtained. No racemization was observed. It was also discovered that magnesium salts such as magnesium bromide and its hydrates, magnesium chloride and its hydrates, magnesium nitrate, and so forth could be dissolved in a minimum volume of water to provide clear and colorless solutions.

Surprisingly, when clear and colorless solutions of a magnesium salt in water were added to clear solutions of D-biotin in water in molar ratios of 0.45-0.55 mole of magnesium to 1 mole of D-biotin, a clear solution was obtained, indicating that the magnesium D-biotinate thus formed was unexpectedly soluble in water. Precipitation of magnesium D-biotinate could be induced by addition of a water-miscible co-solvent, such as acetonitrile or acetone. Methanol or ethanol failed to induce precipitation of magnesium D-biotinate. A determination of the optical rotation of magnesium D-biotinate confirmed that no racemization had taken place.

In some aspects, a method for preparing a magnesium D-biotinate comprises adding a mole equivalent of D-biotin in water and a one-half mole equivalent of a magnesium alkoxide. This reaction was slow until the reaction mixture was heated, whereupon the magnesium alkoxide reacted with D-biotin to form a clear solution of magnesium D-biotinate. When the reaction was complete, no precipitate formed, even when a co-solvent was added. The magnesium D-biotinate composition was isolated by removing the water, washing the remaining solid with ethanol, and drying at 108° C.

Unexpectedly, the magnesium D-biotinate composition was not hygroscopic and was stable upon exposure to light. Compositions were also stable during storage at 25° C./40% relative humidity as well as at 40° C./75% relative humidity.

Some embodiments disclosed herein are based, at least in part, on the surprising and unexpectedly superior finding that the magnesium D-biotinate composition of the present disclosure provides unexpectedly and unnaturally greater quantities of D-biotin after administration. Thus, in some aspects, the magnesium D-biotinate composition increases the bioavailability of biotin when compared to other known compositions. While not wishing to be bound to any particular hypothesis or theory, it is believed that the composition disclosed herein provides unexpectedly greater quantities of D-biotin because of its significantly greater solubility in water and other aqueous solutions. Biotin may be taken up from the intestine by specific interactions of soluble D-biotinate with intestinal sodium-dependent vitamin transporters (SMVT) and by non-specific interactions of soluble D-biotinate with monocarboxylate transporters in the intestine. A magnesium D-biotinate composition of the application provides both magnesium ion and D-biotinate anion in solution (i.e., both soluble magnesium ion and soluble D-biotinate anion). Thus, both moieties are available for physiological uptake via receptors in the intestine. In some aspects, the presently disclosed compositions thus provide more bioavailable biotin than previous compositions.

Compositions capable of delivering more bioavailable biotin may result in compositions having less amounts of total biotin than previous composition and formulations. In this way, manufacturing costs may be decreased and subjects may be administered compositions comprising lower amounts of biotin to achieve similar efficacy to compositions with more biotin. Improved methods of manufacture may be attributed to the new methods of manufacturing relying on water as opposed to traditional methods that rely on organic solvents to produce D-biotin. Producing magnesium biotinate using water as described by the methods contained herein as opposed to organic solvents produces reaction conditions that do not lead to racemization. Without being bound by any particular theory, L-biotin is not bioactive, and thus, producing a pure product containing magnesium D-biotinate is a surprising and improved result. Production of biotin compounds using organic solvents as in the prior art leads to racemic mixtures and can create inactive L-forms of biotin. The methods described herein thus advantageously describe a method that is cheaper and safer and produces an improved unnatural product that can achieve the unnatural and unexpected results described herein.

Since these same transporters also mediate intracellular transport of the vitamin, it is believed that a magnesium D-biotinate composition of the application provides unexpectedly and unnaturally greater quantities of D-biotin after parenteral administration as a physiologically compatible solution because of the significantly higher solubility of magnesium D-biotinate in serum and bodily fluids. In some aspects, the magnesium biotinate is washed to remove substantially all sodium chloride and/or other salts.

The administration of one or more of the compositions disclosed herein can be by any of the methods of administration described herein or by delivery methods known by one of skill in the art. The compositions may be administered orally, through parenteral nutrition, e.g., feeding tube, intravenously, or topically, and through other known means.

For oral administration, the compositions disclosed herein can be provided as a tablet, aqueous or oil suspension, dispersible powder or granule, emulsion, hard or soft capsule, syrup, elixir, or beverage. Solid dosage forms such as tablets and capsules may be comprise an enteric coating. Compositions intended for oral use can be prepared according to any method known in the art for the manufacture of pharmaceutically acceptable compositions and such compositions may include one or more of the following agents: sweeteners, flavoring agents, coloring agents, coatings, and preservatives. The sweetening and flavoring agents will increase the palatability of the preparation. Tablets containing the complexes in admixture with non-toxic pharmaceutically acceptable excipients suitable for tablet manufacture are acceptable. Pharmaceutically acceptable vehicles such as excipients are compatible with the other ingredients of the formulation (as well as non-injurious to the patient). Such excipients include inert diluents such as calcium carbonate, sodium carbonate, lactose, calcium phosphate or sodium phosphate; granulating and disintegrating agents, such as corn starch or alginic acid; binding agents such as starch, gelatin or acacia; and lubricating agents such as magnesium stearate, stearic acid or talc. Tablets can be uncoated or can be coated by known techniques to delay disintegration and absorption in the gastrointestinal tract and thereby provide a sustained action over a longer period of time. For example, a time delay material such as glyceryl monostearate or glyceryl distearate alone or with a wax can be employed.

Formulations for oral use can also be presented as hard gelatin-containing or non-gelatinous capsules wherein the active ingredient is mixed with an inert solid diluent, for example calcium carbonate, calcium phosphate or kaolin, or as soft gelatin capsules wherein the active ingredient is mixed with water or an oil medium, such as peanut oil, liquid paraffin or olive oil. Aqueous suspensions can contain the complex of the described herein admixed with excipients suitable for the manufacture of aqueous suspensions. Such excipients include suspending agents, dispersing or wetting agents, one or more preservatives, one or more coloring agents, one or more flavoring agents and one or more sweetening agents such as sucrose or saccharin.

Oil suspensions can be formulated by suspending the active ingredient in a vegetable oil, such as arachis oil, olive oil, sesame oil or coconut oil, or in a mineral oil such as liquid paraffin. The oil suspension can contain a thickening agent, such as beeswax, hard paraffin or cetyl alcohol. Sweetening agents, such as those set forth above, and flavoring agents can be added to provide a palatable oral preparation. These compositions can be preserved by an added antioxidant such as ascorbic acid. Dispersible powders and granules suitable for preparation of an aqueous suspension by the addition of water can provide the active ingredient in admixture with a dispersing or wetting agent, a suspending agent, and one or more preservatives. Additional excipients, for example sweetening, flavoring and coloring agents, can also be present.

Syrups and elixirs can be formulated with sweetening agents, such as glycerol, sorbitol or sucrose. Such formulations can also contain a demulcent, a preservative, a flavoring or a coloring agent.

The composition for parenteral administration can be in the form of a sterile injectable preparation, such as a sterile injectable aqueous or oleaginous suspension. This suspension can be formulated according to methods well known in the art using suitable dispersing or wetting agents and suspending agents. The sterile injectable preparation can also be a sterile injectable solution or suspension in a non-toxic parenterally-acceptable diluent or solvent, such as a solution in 1,3-butanediol. Suitable diluents include, for example, water, Ringer's solution and isotonic sodium chloride solution. In addition, sterile fixed oils can be employed conventionally as a solvent or suspending medium. For this purpose, any bland fixed oil can be employed including synthetic mono or diglycerides. In addition, fatty acids such as oleic acid can likewise be used in the preparation of injectable preparations.

It will be appreciated that the amount of the compound may be combined with a carrier material to produce a single dosage form. Such forms will vary depending upon the host treated and the particular mode of administration.

In some aspects, magnesium biotinate may be added to food that is designed for animals. For example, the compound or composition may be added to and/or comprise a pet treat or biscuit, for example, a dog biscuit or a cat treat

Aqueous suspensions may contain the compound disclosed herein in admixture with excipients suitable for the manufacture of aqueous suspensions. Such excipients include suspending agents, dispersing or wetting agents, one or more preservatives, one or more coloring agents, one or more flavoring agents and one or more sweetening agents such as sucrose or saccharin.

Controlled release vehicles are well known to those of skill in the pharmaceutical sciences, and these aspects can be applied to nutritional and dietary supplements. The technology and products in this art are variably referred to as controlled release, sustained release, prolonged action, depot, repository, delayed action, retarded release and timed release; the words “controlled release” as used herein is intended to incorporate each of the foregoing technologies.

Numerous controlled release vehicles are known, including biodegradable or bioerodable polymers such as polylactic acid, polyglycolic acid, and regenerated collagen. Known controlled release drug delivery devices include creams, lotions, tablets, capsules, gels, microspheres, liposomes, ocular inserts, minipumps, and other infusion devices such as pumps and syringes. Implantable or injectable polymer matrices, and transdermal formulations, from which active ingredients are slowly released, are also well known and can be used in the disclosed methods.

Controlled release preparations can be achieved by the use of polymers to form complexes with or absorb the magnesium biotinate. The controlled delivery can be exercised by selecting appropriate macromolecules such as polyesters, polyamino acids, polyvinylpyrrolidone, ethylenevinyl acetate, methylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose, and protamine sulfate, and the concentration of these macromolecule as well as the methods of incorporation are selected in order to control release of active complex.

Controlled release of active complexes can be taken to mean any of the extended release dosage forms. The following terms may be considered to be substantially equivalent to controlled release, for the purposes of the present disclosure: continuous release, controlled release, delayed release, depot, gradual release, long term release, programmed release, prolonged release, programmed release, proportionate release, protracted release, repository, retard, slow release, spaced release, sustained release, time coat, time release, delayed action, extended action, layered time action, long acting, prolonged action, sustained action medications and extended release, release in terms of pH level in the gut and intestine, breakdown of the molecule and based on the absorption and bioavailability.

Hydrogels, wherein magnesium biotinate is dissolved in an aqueous constituent to gradually release over time, can be prepared by copolymerization of hydrophilic mono-olefinic monomers such as ethylene glycol methacrylate. Matrix devices, wherein magnesium biotinate is dispersed in a matrix of carrier material, can be used. The carrier can be porous, non-porous, solid, semi-solid, permeable or impermeable. Alternatively, a device comprising a central reservoir of magnesium biotinate surrounded by a rate controlling membrane can be used to control the release of the complex. Rate controlling membranes include ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer or butylene terephthalate/polytetramethylene ether terephthalate. Use of silicon rubber or ethylene-vinyl alcohol depots are also contemplated.

Controlled release oral formulations are also well known. In one embodiment, the active complex is incorporated into a soluble or erodible matrix, such as a pill or a lozenge. In another example, the oral formulations can be a liquid used for sublingual administration. These liquid compositions can also be in the form a gel or a paste. Hydrophilic gums, such as hydroxymethylcellulose, are commonly used. A lubricating agent such as magnesium stearate, stearic acid, or calcium stearate can be used to aid in the tableting process.

Magnesium biotinate may also be delivery topically, including in a salve, cream, lotion, ointment, shampoo, cosmetic, or emulsion.

The amount of a complex that will be effective in the treatment of a particular disorder or condition disclosed herein will depend on the nature of the disorder or condition, and can be determined by standard clinical techniques. In addition, in vitro or in vivo assays may optionally be employed to help identify optimal dosage ranges.

The compositions may be administered once, twice, or three times per day. In some aspects, the compositions are administered four times a day. For example, the compositions may be administered before, after, or during a meal. Dosing for oral administration may be with a regimen calling for single daily dose, or for a single dose every other day, or for a single dose within 72 hours of the first administered dose, or for multiple, spaced doses throughout the day. The active agents which make up the therapy may be administered simultaneously, either in a combined dosage form or in separate dosage forms intended for substantially simultaneous oral administration. The active agents which make up the therapy may also be administered sequentially, with either active component being administered by a regimen calling for two-step ingestion. Thus, a regimen may call for sequential administration of the active agents with spaced-apart ingestion of the separate, active agents. The time period between the multiple ingestion steps may range from a few minutes to as long as about 72 hours, depending upon the properties of each active agent such as potency, solubility, bioavailability, plasma half-life and kinetic profile of the agent, as well as depending upon the age and condition of the patient. The active agents of the therapy whether administered simultaneously, substantially simultaneously, or sequentially, may involve a regimen calling for administration of one active agent by oral route and the other active agent by intravenous route. In one aspect, the embodiments described herein achieve a higher solubility than prior D-biotin compositions, and thus, unexpectedly and surprisingly achieve improved abilities for using the compositions for intravenous administration because a more concentrated solution can be produced. Whether the active agents of the therapy are administered by oral or intravenous route, separately or together, each such active agent will be contained in a suitable pharmaceutical formulation of pharmaceutically-acceptable excipients, diluents or other formulations components.

Active ingredients (i.e., magnesium D-biotinate and other pharmaceutical or supplemental ingredients that may be present) can be administered by the oral route in solid dosage forms, such as tablets, capsules, and powders, or in liquid dosage forms, such as elixirs, syrups, and suspensions. Each active ingredient can be administered by the parenteral route in liquid dosage forms. The composition can be made in the form of a dosage unit containing a particular amount of each active ingredient. One example of an oral dosage form of a composition of the present application is an admixture of powders contained within a sachet. Because a composition of the present application is not hygroscopic and has no repugnant taste or odor, the admixture of powders comprising a composition of the present application can be sprinkled on food or stirred into beverages to enhance ease of use and support high levels of compliance with daily dosage regimens.

In general, the dosage forms of compositions of this disclosure can be prepared by conventional techniques, as are described in Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, a standard reference in this field [Gennaro A R, Ed. Remington: The Science and Practice of Pharmacy. 20^(th) Edition. Baltimore: Lippincott, Williams & Williams, 2000]. For therapeutic purposes, the active components of this combination therapy application can be combined with one or more adjuvants appropriate to the indicated route of administration. The components may be admixed with lactose, sucrose, starch powder, cellulose esters of alkanoic acids, cellulose alkyl esters, talc, stearic acid, magnesium stearate, gelatin, acacia gum, sodium alginate, polyvinylpyrrolidone, and/or polyvinyl alcohol, and then tableted or encapsulated for convenient administration, the amounts of which are ascertainable by the skilled artisan. Such capsules or tablets may contain a controlled-release formulation as may be provided in a dispersion of active compound in hydroxypropyl methylcellulose. Solid dosage forms can be manufactured as sustained release products to provide for continuous release of medication over a period of hours. Compressed tablets can be sugar coated or film coated to mask any unpleasant taste and protect the tablet from the atmosphere, or enteric coated for selective disintegration in the gastrointestinal tract. Both the solid and liquid oral dosage forms can contain coloring and flavoring to increase patient acceptance. Other adjuvants and modes of administration are well and widely known in the pharmaceutical art and these aspects can also be applied to any of the nutritional or dietary supplements described herein.

While the present invention has been described in some detail for purposes of clarity and understanding, one will appreciate that various changes in form and detail can be made without departing from the true scope of the invention.

EXAMPLES Example 1. Preparation of Magnesium D-Biotinate

According to the Merck Index, 12^(th) Edition, Monograph 1272, biotin exhibits a solubility of 22 mg/100 mL of water, 80 mg/100 mL of ethanol, 1.7 mg/mL of N,N-dimethylformamide, and is insoluble in other common organic solvents. A slurry of D-biotin (4.8 g, 20 mmol) in 15 mL of water was stirred with magnesium oxide (420 mg, 10.5 mmol). Even after days of stirring, both at ambient and elevated temperatures, a clear solution was not obtained, and thus these methods are not reasonable methods to prepare magnesium D-biotinate.

Example 2. Preparation A of Magnesium D-Biotinate

D-Biotin (2.44 g, 10 mmol) was suspended in 10 mL of water and 10 mL of 1 N sodium hydroxide solution (NaOH; 10 mmol) was added. Magnesium chloride hexahydrate (MgCl₂.6H₂O; 1.01 g; 0.05 mmol) was dissolved in 2 mL of water, and the resulting solution was added to the aqueous sodium biotinate. Aliquots of the solution were removed, and four co-solvents were evaluated.

Addition of approximately 10 mL methanol to 1 mL of the magnesium biotinate solution formed a clear solution. Alternatively, addition of approximately 10 mL ethanol to 1 mL of the magnesium biotinate solution formed a clear solution. Addition of approximately 7 mL acetonitrile to 1 mL of the magnesium biotinate solution formed a cloudy solution with a white precipitate. Addition of approximately 7 mL acetone to 1 mL of the magnesium biotinate solution formed a white precipitate.

The experiment was repeated at the same scale. After the clear solution of magnesium biotinate was obtained, about three volumes of acetone were added. The resulting precipitate was isolated by filtration and washed with acetone:water (4:1), and then dried under vacuum to provide 2.9 g (95%) of amorphous magnesium D-biotinate.

Example 3. Preparation B of Magnesium D-Biotinate

D-Biotin (2.44 g, 1 mmol) was added to 50 mL of 2 M ammonium hydroxide solution. Magnesium chloride hexahydrate (MgCl₂.6H₂O; 1.01 g; 0.05 mmol) was dissolved in 2 mL of water and added to the sodium biotinate solution. Five volumes of acetone were added and the precipitate was isolated by filtration and washed with acetone:water (4:1), and then dried under vacuum to provide 1.9 g (62%) of amorphous magnesium D-biotinate.

Example 4. Preparation C of Magnesium D-Biotinate

A minimum volume (approximately 14 mL) of 1 N NaOH was added to D-biotin (24.4 g, 100 mmol) to provide a clear solution. The solution was filtered. MgCl₂. 6 H₂O (10.17 g; 50 mmol) was dissolved in a minimum volume of water, and added to the sodium biotinate solution. Acetone (400 mL) was added, and the precipitate was isolated by filtration and washed with 200 mL of acetone:water (4:1), and then dried under vacuum to provide 24.5 g (96%) of amorphous magnesium D-biotinate. The solubility of magnesium D-biotinate is at least about 10 g/L.

Example 5. Stability of Magnesium D-Biotinate

Magnesium biotinate compositions of the invention were stable during storage at room temperature. The amorphous solid was not hygroscopic, as measured by weight, and showed no signs of degradation after 30 days at 40% relative humidity and 25° C. and after 30 days at 75% relative humidity and 40° C. The amorphous solid did not change color on exposure to light.

Example 6. Preparation D: Crystalline Magnesium D-Biotinate

A minimum volume (approximately 14 mL) of 1 N NaOH was added to D-biotin (24.4 g, 100 mmol) to provide a clear solution. MgCl₂.6H₂O (10.17 g; 50 mmol) was dissolved in a minimum volume of water, and added to the sodium biotinate solution. Acetone (400 mL) was added, and the precipitate was isolated by filtration and washed with 200 mL of acetone:water (4:1), and then dried under vacuum.

Example 7. Preparation E of Magnesium D-Biotinate

D-Biotin (2.44 g, 1 mmol) was suspended in 80 mL of water. Magnesium ethoxide (560 mg, 5 mmol) was added. The resulting slurry was stirred for 1 hr at 80° C. until the suspension became a clear solution. The water was removed by evaporation or lyophilization. The solid thus formed was washed with ethanol, and dried between 100-110° C., providing 1.9 g (62%) of amorphous magnesium D-biotinate.

Example 8. Large Scale Preparation I of Magnesium D-Biotinate

Approximately 128 mL of 1 N NaOH was added to D-biotin (30 g, 123 mmol) to provide a clear solution which was then filtered. MgCl₂.6H₂O (13.1 g; 64 mmol) was dissolved in 10 mL water and added to the sodium biotinate solution. Acetone (750 mL) was added and the resulting precipitate was isolated by filtration. The filter cake was suspended in 500 mL 95% ethanol, filtered, and air-dried, followed by drying under vacuum at 108° C. to provide 23.8 g (73.6%) of magnesium D-biotinate. Elemental analysis: 3.9% by weight, Mg and 0.6% by weight sodium (as NaCl). The NMR spectrum of magnesium D-biotinate is shown in FIG. 3. A specific rotation of +77.3° (water; 25° C.) was observed.

Example 9. Large Scale Preparation II of Magnesium D-Biotinate

D-Biotin (9.8 g, 40 mmol) was suspended in 200 mL of water. Magnesium ethoxide (2.5 g, 22 mmol) was added and the resulting slurry heated to approximately 80° C. The resulting clear solution was filtered and water was removed by evaporation under vacuum. The solid was air-dried. This reaction was repeated twice and the combined solids isolated from the three reactions were dried under vacuum at 100-110° C. to provide 29 g (94.8%) of amorphous magnesium D-biotinate. Elemental analysis: 3.9% by weight, Mg. The NMR spectrum of magnesium D-biotinate is shown in FIG. 2. The solubility of magnesium D-biotinate was estimated at 1 g/100 mL. A specific rotation of +75.1° (water; 25° C.) was observed.

Example 10. Determination of Optical Rotation and Verification of Absence of Racemization

The optical rotation of an aqueous solution of 1 g of magnesium D-biotinate per 100 mL was determined with a path length of 100 mm and a temperature of 25° C. A wavelength of incident light of 589 nm was used. The optical rotation of a sample of magnesium D-biotinate obtained from Example 8 was determined to be +77.3°. This was designated the reference value. The optical rotation of a sample of magnesium D-biotinate prepared Example 9 was +75.1° (under identical test conditions). Accordingly, no racemization occurred under either set of conditions.

Example 11. Magnesium D-Biotinate—Serum Biotin Levels

In a double-blind clinical study, 30 subjects are divided into two groups (n=15). The control group receives a supplement containing 956 mg D-biotin and 37 mg of magnesium as magnesium oxide. The trial group receives a supplement containing 500 mg of magnesium D-biotinate (22 mg of magnesium and 478 mg of biotin), or one-half the total dose of biotin and magnesium of the control group. Serum levels of biotin (ng/mL) are measured at one hour, four hours, six hours, and eight hours. The mean serum biotin levels for the trial group are between 80-120% of the control group at each time point. Thus, magnesium D-biotinate provides 80-120% of bioavailable biotin relative to twice the dose of D-biotin alone (i.e., administered as an independent component in a formulation containing magnesium as magnesium oxide).

Example 12. Magnesium D-Biotinate—Biotin C_(max) and T_(max)

In a double-blind clinical study, 30 subjects are divided into two groups (n=15). The control group receives a supplement containing 956 mg biotin and 37 mg of magnesium as magnesium oxide. The trial group receives a supplement containing 500 mg of magnesium D-biotinate (22 mg of magnesium and 478 mg of biotin), or one-half the total dose of biotin and magnesium of the control group. Biotin C_(max) (ng/mL) and T_(max) (minutes) are measured in each subject. The mean biotin C_(max) for the trial group are between 80-120% of the control group at each time point. Thus, magnesium D-biotinate provides 80-120% of the maximum serum concentration of biotin relative to twice the dose of biotin alone (i.e., administered as an independent component in a formulation containing magnesium as magnesium oxide). The mean biotin T_(max) for the trial group are between 50-80% of the control group at each time point. Thus, magnesium D-biotinate the maximum amount of bioavailable biotin in 50-80% less time relative to twice the dose of biotin alone (i.e., administered as an independent component in a formulation containing magnesium as magnesium oxide).

Example 13. Magnesium D-Biotinate—Biotin Area Under the Curve (AUC₀ _(→) _(∞))

In a double-blind clinical study, 30 subjects are divided into two groups (n=15). The control group receives a supplement containing 956 mg biotin and 37 mg of magnesium as magnesium oxide. The trial group receives a supplement containing 500 mg of magnesium D-biotinate (22 mg of magnesium and 478 mg of biotin), or one-half the total dose of biotin and magnesium of the control group. Biotin AUC₀ _(9→) _(∞) (ng·h/mL) are measured in each subject. The mean biotin AUC₀ _(→) _(∞) for the trial group are between 80-120% of the control group at each time point. Thus, magnesium D-biotinate provides 80-120% of the maximum amount of bioavailable biotin relative to twice the dose of biotin alone (i.e., administered as an independent component in a formulation containing magnesium as magnesium oxide).

Example 14. Magnesium D-Biotinate—Sustained Release

In a double-blind clinical study, 30 subjects are divided into two groups (n=15). The control group receives an enteric-coated multilayer tablet containing 956 mg biotin and 37 mg of magnesium as magnesium oxide. The trial group receives an enteric-coated multilayer tablet containing 500 mg of magnesium D-biotinate (22 mg of magnesium and 478 mg of biotin), or one-half the total dose of biotin and magnesium of the control group.

The biotin C_(max) (ng/mL); T_(max) (minutes); and AUC₀ _(→) _(∞) (ng·h/mL) are measured in each subject. The values for C_(max), T_(max), and AUC₀ _(→) _(∞) show a first peak in serum biotin levels, followed by a first plateau of relatively constant blood serum biotin levels, followed by a second peak in serum biotin levels, followed by a second plateau of relatively constant blood serum biotin levels. In each instance, the mean biotin C_(max) and AUC₀ _(→) _(∞) are between 80-120% of the control group at each time point, and the mean T_(max) are between 50-80% of the control group at each time point. Thus, the multilayer enteric-coated magnesium D-biotinate formulation is capable of delivering 80-120% of the maximum serum biotin concentration and 80-120% of the maximum amount of bioavailable biotin, in 50-80% percent of the time, relative to twice the dose of biotin alone (i.e., administered as an independent component in a formulation containing magnesium as magnesium oxide).

Example 15. Absorption Results of Magnesium Biotinate Administration

In a study, biotin and magnesium biotinate was administered to male Sprague-Dawley rats. The male Sprague-Dawley rats were reared at the temperature of 22±2 C, humidity of 55±5% and with a 12 h light −12 h dark cycle. A standard diet was used with minor modification commonly used for the analysis of dietary components formulated by the American Institute of Nutrition. The diet was modified to include spray-dried egg white as its sole protein source. Avidin protein in egg white binds 1.44 mg biotin/kg of purified diet, inhibiting biotin absorption. The level of dietary biotin designated in this study represented biotin in excess of the binding capacity of the dietary egg white avidin. Rats were randomly assigned to a standard diet-based egg white powdered diet containing one of the following biotin concentrations (N=7 per group):

-   -   1. Group I (Control) (B 0): rats were fed a standard diet and         supplemented with 0.01 mg commercial biotin (d-biotin)/kg body         weight;     -   2. Group II (Control) (B 1): rats were fed a standard diet and         supplemented with 1 mg biotin (d-biotin)/kg body weight;     -   3. Group III (Control) (B 100): rats were fed a standard diet         and supplemented with 100 mg biotin (d-biotin)/kg body weight;     -   4. Group IV (MgB 0): rats were fed a standard diet and         supplemented with 0.01 mg magnesium biotinate/kg body weight;     -   5. Group V (MgB 1): rats were fed a standard diet and         supplemented with 1 mg magnesium biotinate/kg body weight;     -   6. Group VI (MgB 100): rats were be fed with standard diet and         supplemented with 100 mg magnesium biotinate/kg body weight.         The duration of the study was 30 days and a summary of the         results is presented in Table 2 below:

TABLE 2 Groups Items B 0.01 B 1 B 100 MgB 0.01 MgB 1 MgB 100 --P-- Serum 23.65 ± 2.60^(c)  136.67 ± 2.73^(c)  3517.14 ± 87.93^(b)  23.41 ± 2.31^(c)  171.13 ± 3.02^(c)  5161.43 ± 250.96^(a)  0.0001 Biotin, nmol/L Liver 0.02 ± 0.01^(e) 0.56 ± 0.04^(d) 1.38 ± 0.02^(b) 0.03 ± 0.01^(e) 0.71 ± 0.03^(c) 1.62 ± 0.02^(a) 0.0001 Biotin, nmol/g Brain 0.14 ± 0.01^(e) 0.42 ± 0.05^(d) 1.37 ± 0.04^(b) 0.14 ± 0.01^(e) 0.66 ± 0.04^(c) 1.65 ± 0.03^(a) 0.0001 Biotin, nmol/g Liver 8.46 ± 0.26^(d) 12.01 ± 0.26^(c)  14.68 ± 0.32^(b)  8.60 ± 0.28^(d) 13.04 ± 0.98^(bc)  17.07 ± 0.28^(a) 0.0001 cGMP, pmol/mg protein Data are means ± SE. Different superscripts (a-e) indicate group mean differences (p < 0.05). Additional results are shown in FIG. 4, showing the results of administration of magnesium biotinate compared to administration of biotin. B 0.01 and MgB 0.01 correspond with administration of 0.01 mg/kg body weight of biotin and magnesium biotinate, respectively. B 1 and MgB 1 correspond with administration of 1 mg/kg of body weight of biotin and magnesium biotinate respectively. B 100 and MgB 100 correspond with administration of 100 mg/kg of body weight of biotin and magnesium biotinate respectively. FIGS. 4A and 4B show unexpectedly improved acetyl-CoA carboxylase ACC-1 and ACC-2 activity, respectively. FIG. 4C shows unexpectedly improved pyruvate carboxylase (PC) activity. FIG. 4D shows unexpectedly improved propionyl-CoA carboxylase (PCC) activity. FIG. 4E shows unexpectedly improved methylcrotonyl-CoA carboxylase (MCC) activity. These results also demonstrate the surprising results that not only does magnesium biotinate have a significantly improved solubility, but it also has higher absorption, which is a counterintuitive unexpected result. These results thus indicate that the compositions described herein are both useful for mammals with biotin deficiency and that administering magnesium biotinate to mammals that are not experiencing biotin deficiency may achieve improved carboxylase function and the other improved results as described herein.

Example 16. Mitochondrial Metabolic Activity

In this example, the relative mitochondrial activity of biotin-starved cell cultures was compared to that of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) that were supplied with either D-biotin or magnesium biotinate. The untreated cells received no treatment while the other cells were supplied with doses of 0.05 mg/L of D-biotin or magnesium biotinate, which were exposed to serial dilutions of these for 24 hours after which time the cultures were processed in a colorimetric MTT assay. The results are shown in FIG. 5 and demonstrate that the magnesium biotinate administration achieved a highly improved, unexpected, and significant result over the D-biotin administration. These results reflect the sum of the metabolic activities of each cell culture. FIG. 5 shows the colorimetric readings as the average+/−standard deviation for each triplicate set of cell cultures, compared to untreated cell cultures. The statistical significance for within treatment analysis is indicated by “*” (P<0.05) while statistical significance for between treatments is indicated by “##” (P<0.01).

The above description discloses several methods and materials of the present invention. This invention is susceptible to modifications in the methods and materials, as well as alterations in the fabrication methods and equipment. Such modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art from a consideration of this disclosure or practice of the invention disclosed herein. Consequently, it is not intended that this invention be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed herein, but that it cover all modifications and alternatives coming within the true scope and spirit of the invention.

When introducing elements of the present application or the preferred embodiment(s) thereof, the articles “a”, “an”, “the” and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising”, “including” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements.

Without further elaboration, it is believed that one skilled in the art can, using the preceding description, utilize the present disclosure to its fullest extent. The specific embodiments are, therefore, to be construed as merely illustrative, and not limitative of the remainder of the disclosure in any way whatsoever. While the present disclosure has been described in some detail for purposes of clarity and understanding, one will appreciate that various changes in form and detail can be made without departing from the true scope of the application.

All references cited herein, including but not limited to published and unpublished applications, patents, and literature references, are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety and are hereby made a part of this specification. To the extent publications and patents or patent applications incorporated by reference contradict the disclosure contained in the specification, the specification is intended to supersede and/or take precedence over any such contradictory material. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A composition comprising an effective amount of magnesium biotinate and a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle, carrier, or diluent.
 2. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition is a solid composition.
 3. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition comprises a sustained-release matrix.
 4. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition is enteric coated.
 5. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition comprises between about 10 μg to about 1,000 μg of magnesium biotinate.
 6. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition comprises less than or equal to about 0.8% sodium by weight compared to the weight of the magnesium biotinate.
 7. A method of treating or preventing a disease, disorder, or condition associated with biotin deficiency in a mammal comprising administering an amount of magnesium biotinate effective to treat or prevent a disease, disorder, or condition associated with biotin deficiency in the mammal.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the disease, disorder, or condition, is selected from the group consisting of biotinidase deficiency, multiple carboxylase deficiency, and holocarboxylase synthetase deficiency, brittle hair, excessive hair loss, alopecia, anemia, one or more topical fungal infections, seborrheic dermatitis, hallucinations, lethargy, anorexia, depression, myalgia, paresthesia, excessive fatigue, somnolence, prolonged anticonvulsant therapy, prolonged use of total parenteral nutrition, malnutrition, prolonged antibiotic therapy, hypotonia, pregnancy, short bowel syndrome, ketogenic dieting, excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, cystic fibrosis, or combinations of the foregoing.
 9. The method of claim 7, wherein the amount of magnesium biotinate administered is between about 10 μg to about 1,000 μg per day.
 10. The method of claim 7, wherein the magnesium biotinate is administered orally.
 11. A method of improving skin texture comprising: administering an effective amount of magnesium biotinate to a mammal.
 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising identifying abnormal skin texture in a mammal wherein the identifying comprises administering a test that is sensitive to detecting one of the following: allergic reactions, stress-induced rash, eczema, acne vulgaris, acne rosacea, hives, seborrheic dermatitis, and psoriasis.
 13. The method of claim 11, wherein the identifying comprises a diagnosis of one or more of allergic reactions, stress-induced rash, eczema, acne vulgaris, acne rosacea, hives, seborrheic dermatitis, and psoriasis.
 14. The method of claim 11, wherein the effective amount of magnesium biotinate administered is between about 10 μg to about 1,000 μg per day.
 15. The method of claim 11, wherein the magnesium biotinate is administered orally.
 16. A method of treating or preventing a disease, disorder, or condition associated with nerve demyelination in a mammal comprising administering an amount of magnesium biotinate effective to treat or prevent a disease, disorder, or condition associated with nerve demyelination in the mammal.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the disease, disorder, or condition is selected from a demyelinating myelinoclastic disease, a demyelinating leukodystrophic disease, multiple scleroris, nerve damage, Devic's disease, Tabes dorsalis, central pontine myelinolysis, progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, Guillain-Barré syndrome, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, copper deficiency, and progressive inflammatory neuropathy, or combinations of the foregoing.
 18. The method of claim 16, wherein the amount of magnesium biotinate administered is between about 10 μg to about 1,000 μg per day.
 19. The method of claim 16, wherein the magnesium biotinate is administered orally.
 20. A method of decreasing hair loss comprising: administering an effective amount of magnesium biotinate to the mammal.
 21. The method of claim 20, further comprising identifying a hair loss in a mammal wherein the identifying comprises administering a test that is sensitive to detecting alopecia or stress-induced hair loss.
 22. The method of claim 20, wherein the identifying comprises a diagnosis of stress-induced hair loss.
 23. The method of claim 20, wherein the therapeutically effective amount of magnesium biotinate administered is between about 10 μg to about 1,000 μg per day.
 24. The method of claim 20, wherein the magnesium biotinate is administered orally.
 25. A method of improving hair strength and texture comprising: administering an effective amount of magnesium biotinate to a mammal.
 26. The method of claim 25, further comprising identifying a mammal with abnormal hair strength and texture wherein the identifying comprises administering a scalp biopsy.
 27. The method of claim 25, wherein the identifying comprises a diagnosis of biotin deficiency.
 28. The method of claim 25, wherein the effective amount of magnesium biotinate administered is between about 10 μg to about 1,000 μg per day.
 29. The method of claim 25, wherein the magnesium biotinate is administered orally.
 30. A method of improving nail strength and texture comprising: administering an effective amount of magnesium biotinate to the mammal.
 31. The method of claim 30, further comprising identifying a mammal with abnormal nail strength and texture wherein the identifying comprises administering a test that is sensitive to detecting biotin deficiency.
 32. The method of claim 30, wherein the identifying comprises a diagnosis of biotin deficiency.
 33. The method of claim 30, wherein the effective amount of magnesium biotinate administered is between about 10 μg to about 1,000 μg per day.
 34. The method of claim 30, wherein the magnesium biotinate is administered orally.
 35. A oral formulation consisting essentially of magnesium biotinate and a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle, carrier, or diluent.
 36. A method of making magnesium biotinate comprising the steps of: adding D-biotin to a basic solution to produce a sodium biotinate solution; dissolving a magnesium salt into the sodium biotinate solution; precipitating the magnesium D-biotinate; washing the precipitated magnesium D-biotinate with a solvent; and dry filtering the washed magnesium D-biotinate.
 37. Use of a composition comprising magnesium biotinate for treating or preventing a disease, disorder, or condition associated with biotin deficiency in a mammal.
 38. Use of a composition comprising magnesium biotinate for preparing a medicament used for treating or preventing a disease, disorder, or condition associated with biotin deficiency in a mammal.
 39. A method of maintaining healthy levels of biotin in a mammal comprising administering an effective amount of magnesium biotinate to the mammal.
 40. A method of maintaining optimum levels of biotin in a mammal comprising administering an effective amount of magnesium biotinate to the mammal.
 41. A method of promoting optimum levels of biotin in a mammal comprising administering an effective amount of magnesium biotinate to the mammal.
 42. A method of promoting healthy levels of biotin in a mammal comprising administering an effective amount of magnesium biotinate.
 43. A method of improving absorption of biotin comprising administering an effective amount of magnesium biotinate to a mammal to increase the mammal's absorption of biotin.
 44. A method of increasing carboxylase activity comprising administering an effective amount of magnesium biotinate to a mammal to increase carboxylase activity.
 45. The method of claim 44, wherein the increasing the carboxylase activity of the mammal comprises increasing the activity of acetyl-CoA carboxylase ACC-1 and/or ACC-2, pyruvate carboxylase (PC), propionyl-CoA carboxylase (PCC), or methylcrotonyl-CoA carboxylase (MCC), and combinations thereof.
 46. A method of increasing cellular energy production comprising the steps of administering an effective amount of magnesium biotinate to a mammal to increase cellular energy production.
 47. A composition comprising an effective amount of magnesium biotinate for use in treating or preventing a disease, disorder, or condition associated with biotin deficiency in a mammal. 